Despite a few minor hitches, after six months of operations it’s clear that the Town of Patagonia’s new weekly recycling program has met with enthusiastic acceptance by its patrons.
The program is operating under the supervision of the town’s new administrative assistant Summer Smith. She has been present at virtually every weekly session supporting the town employees and volunteers, refining operational procedures and collecting program data so that future decisions about the program can be based on reliable baseline information.
Smith reported that, since its inception on December 21, 2023 through June 30, 2024, the program has taken in 32.73 tons of paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and metal, an average of more than five tons per month. From 60 to 122 vehicles have used the program each week, an average of 89 and others have brought their recyclables by other means, primarily walking or bicycling.
About a dozen volunteers take turns working alongside town employees Javier Lorta, Gabriel Campos and crew leader Jose Hernandez.
The program is available free of charge to those living in Patagonia and nearby communities, but donations of labor and money are important to keeping the service free. To date, patrons have donated nearly $5,000. While the donations are a significant source of support and very much appreciated, they cover only a small part of the total cost of the program.
For safety and efficiency reasons only recycling staff are permitted to enter the space where the receiving bins are located.
Smith said some improvements can still be made in the operation that will increase efficiency and the safety of both workers and patrons. She thanked patrons for their cooperation and reminded patrons of the following key guidelines:
• Pull up to the stop sign and allow the staff to unload your recyclables
• Tell workers if you want bags/boxes returned
• Separate paper and cardboard from all other items
• Make sure all containers are empty, clean and dry
• Leave caps on bottles & jars
Mayor Andrea Wood, who has supported efforts to bring recycling back to Patagonia, said “We believe that recycling is an important component of our community. Thanks to the volunteers, and Town personnel for making this program a successful endeavor. We hope this program continues to be a service that is sustainable for the future of Patagonia.”